The 2024–25 season is the 21st in the history of Adelaide United Football Club since its establishment in 2003. The club will participate in the A-League Men for the 20th consecutive season and is making their 10th consecutive appearance in the Australia Cup.
Adelaide United's start to the season was headlined by the loss of Nestory Irankunda, who joined Bayern Munich after agreeing terms with the club in November 2023 for a record domestic Australian transfer fee, and last season's top scorer, Hiroshi Ibusuki, who netted 15 goals across the 2023–24 season.
Season summary
Pre-season
On 10 May 2024, 20-year-old goalkeeper Ethan Cox extended his contract for a further three years, having come through Football SA's NTC program.[2] On 14 May, the departure of Ben Halloran was announced.[3][4] Two days later, Hiroshi Ibusuki departed the club by mutual consent.[5][6] Hiroshi was last season's top scorer with 15 goals in 26 matches and intended to remain with the club; however, his request for a longer-term deal was rejected.[7] On 17 May, Nick Ansell, Lachlan Barr, Harry Van der Saag, and Ben Warland were released following the expiration of their contracts.[8][9][10]
On 27 May, former Dutch international Ernest Faber was announced as the club's new technical director in order to improve the club's coaching and recruitment. The announcement came a few months after a strategic partnership with PSV Eindhoven was finalised.[11][12] On 28 May, three Adelaide United players, Luka Jovanovic, Bailey O'Neil, and Jonny Yull, were selected for the Young Socceroos' squad for their June tour of South America.[13] The next day, Nestory Irankunda was named as one of eight A-League Men players to feature in the Socceroos' squad for their final second round World Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh and Palestine.[14] This was Irankunda's first official call-up to the squad, having previously joined as a train-on player in March 2023. The callup came a week after Irankunda publicly commented that he would consider his international future with other nations if he wasn't called up to the Socceroos squad, as he was eligible to represent Burundi or Tanzania.[15][16]
On 4 June, Spaniards Isaías and Javi López both signed a one-year contract extension ahead of their joint retirement at the end of the season, whilst studying for coaching badges.[17][18] On 6 June, 19-year-old Newcastle Jets centre-forward, Archie Goodwin, signed with Adelaide United on a four-year contract.[19][20] On 21 June, 24-year-old winger, Dylan Pierias, signed with the club on a three-year contract, following his expiration of his contract with Western Sydney Wanderers.[21][22] On 25 June, Musa Toure was signed by Ligue 2 side Clermont Foot for an undisclosed fee.[23][24][25] The next day, Austin Ayoubi signed a two-year contract extension with the club.[26][27] On 30 June, 33-year-old Dutch centre-back, Bart Vriends, signed a two-year contract with Adelaide, joining from Eredivise club, Sparta Rotterdam.[28][29] On 4 July, young centre-back, Panagiotis Kikianis, signed a five-year contract with the club, the longest contract in A-League history.[30][31]
The draw for the Australia Cup round of 32 took place on 19 June 2024. Adelaide United were drawn away to NPL NSW side Blacktown City.[35][36]Stefan Mauk gave Adelaide the lead midway through the first half, but Blacktown equalised in the second half, forcing extra time. Yaya Dukuly broke the deadlock after eight minutes and Austin Ayoubi confirmed the result in the 108th. Blacktown brought one back in the dying minutes, as Adelaide progressed to the next round.[37]
In the round of 16, Adelaide were drawn against away to NPL WA side, Olympic Kingsway.[50]Austin Ayoubi opened the scoring after 11 minutes, however, Liam Boland equalised for the hosts shortly before half time. Adelaide retook the lead in the 48th minute through an own goal, and extended their lead in the 71st. Kingsway brought one back in the 85th minute through a penalty, the match ending 3–2 in United's favour.[51]
On 5 September, the club's chairman, Ned Morris, stepped down from his role, transitioning to an advisory role after 18 months in charge of the club.[52] On 10 September, former captain and club legend, Travis Dodd, returned to the club as an assistant coach.[53]
Adelaide were knocked out of the cup at the semi-final stage for the first time in the competition's history, falling late away to rivals, Melbourne Victory.
On 25 September, the $53.5 million redevelopment to Coopers Stadium was completed. Safe standing was installed in the N13 and N14 bays, additional screens were installed around the ground, and the pitch was re-laid with turf which is said to be superior during summer.[62][63] The Reds travelled to Mildura to play in a pre-season friendly again Brisbane Roar,[64] which ended in a 1–1 draw.[65] Adelaide played one final pre-season match against Melbourne City on 14 October. The behind-closed-doors match ended in a 1–0 win.[66]
Adelaide United are participating in the A-League Men for the 20th time, each team will play 26 games across a 29-round season.[67] The full fixture list was released on 2 August 2024. Adelaide United received a bye in the first, 11th and final rounds.[68] Their season kicked off on 26 October 2024 with a 1–1 draw at home against Central Coast Mariners; Luka Jovanovic scored the opener in the 10th minute, however they were unable to extend their lead before the Mariners equalised in the 62nd minute.[69] They followed this up with two wins before the international break; a 4–3 win away against Western Sydney Wanderers,[70] and a 2–1 win at home against Western United, where the opposition controversially didn't receive a penalty after Ryan Kitto fouled Abel Walatee in the box whilst the scores were level.[71]Football Australia's head of referees, Jon Moss, said in a statement two days later that VAR made an "error in judgement", and that a penalty should have been awarded.[72]
After the international break, Adelaide faced Brisbane Roar in the second edition of Unite Round. Falling behind twice during the match, Adelaide eventually won 3–2, thanks to Archie Goodwin's 62nd minute goal, his first for the club.[73] A week later, they drew 2–2 with Perth Glory, in which United had two goals disallowed for offside, and a late penalty claim for a handball ignored.[74]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Youth players who featured in a matchday squad, but are uncontracted to the senior team.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Updated to match(es) played on 1 January 2025. Source: A-Leagues Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) goals scored; 4) wins; 5) head-to-head results; 5a) head-to-head points; 5b) head-to-head goal difference; 6) Fair Play points; 7) away goal difference; 8) away goals per match; 9) home goal difference; 10) home goals per match; 11) toss of a coin in an event of a tie of two clubs.[88] Notes:
^ abcThe top two teams enter the finals series at the semi-finals, while the teams ranked third to sixth enter the finals series at the elimination-finals.
Last updated: 27 December 2024.
Source: Ultimate A-League
Away figures include Adelaide United's 3–2 win on neutral ground in Unite Round against Brisbane Roar on 23 November 2024.
Note: Originally scheduled for 25 January 2025 at 15:00, the match was postponed due to a scheduling conflict with Luke Combs' performance at Suncorp Stadium.[90][91]
The round of 32 fixtures were drawn on 19 June 2024.[35] with the date, time and venue confirmed on 25 June 2024.[36] The draw for the remaining rounds was held on 7 August 2024, with Adelaide United being drawn to play Olympic Kingsway away in Perth.[92]
Includes all competitions. The list is sorted by squad number when total clean sheets are equal. Numbers in parentheses represent games where both goalkeepers participated and both kept a clean sheet; the number in parentheses is awarded to the goalkeeper who was substituted on, whilst a full clean sheet is awarded to the goalkeeper who was on the field at the start of play. Goalkeepers with no clean sheets not included in the list.
